Wallaby legend George Gregan is rallying behind Joe Schmidt’s players to keep the British and Irish Lions series alive, urging them to “write their names in the history books” as they prepare for a crucial showdown in Melbourne on Saturday. A defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) would hand the Lions an unassailable 2-0 lead following their victory in Brisbane, where the Wallabies’ vulnerabilities were laid bare until a late rally saw them fall short with a 27-19 loss.
The return of No.8 Rob Valetini is a beacon of hope for the Wallabies. Gregan, a 139-cap World Cup winner, believes Valetini can emulate the game-changing performances of Ardie Savea for the All Blacks, crucially winning the breakdown and gainline battles. “It’s probably the biggest game in this country for the Wallabies for a very long time,” Gregan stated. “Rob fights for metres after contact, and like Ardie Savea, you don’t tackle him and he drops, he keeps going. Rob will have a big impact in the contact area.”
Historical Context and Lessons from 2001
Gregan, who played a pivotal role in the Wallabies’ 2-1 series win over the Lions in 2001, knows the significance of bouncing back after an initial defeat. In that series, the Wallabies suffered a first Test defeat in Brisbane, a match remembered for Brian O’Driscoll’s brilliant solo try. However, they rebounded with a 35-14 victory in Melbourne and clinched the series with a 29-23 win in Sydney.
“You know heading into the second Test that you have to front up or the series is done,” Gregan explained. “As a player, these are the moments and games you want to be part of, showing some grit and character and turning things around. To be able to take the series to Sydney, as a Wallaby, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else this week in Melbourne.”
The Importance of the Breakdown
The breakdown battle is expected to be a decisive factor in Saturday’s game. “There is never any magic science or magic sword, and if you lose the gainline battle the game becomes more difficult,” Gregan noted. “The breakdown is huge and this was always going to be the most important battle in this series. When the Lions get that quick ball you can see what they can do. They get numbers, play with width, and score points quickly.”
Turnovers 5 Turnovers Won 5 13 Turnovers Lost 16
With the Wallabies opting to start the first Test with rookie Tom Lynagh and Jake Gordon at half-back, their best moments came with try-scorer Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson in those roles. “The breakdown was hard and so the half-backs were struggling to find rhythm in that first 40-50 mins with most of the play in the Wallaby half,” Gregan observed.
Strategic Adjustments and Player Impact
The pressure is on Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt to equip his team with the strategies needed to dismantle the Lions’ formidable lineup. The return to fitness of key forwards Valetini and the towering Will Skelton could be pivotal. “We had an experienced squad and were very consistent in how we approached and reviewed every match,” Gregan recalled of the 2001 team.
“When we had a loss, we were very honest with ourselves in the review and identified a couple of key areas that let us down quite badly in the first 2001 test against quality players. If you give quality players an inch, then they take a mile, and this is exactly what they did in Brisbane,” he added.
Looking Ahead to the Second Test
As the Wallabies prepare for the second Test, Gregan remains optimistic. “My heart says the Wallabies for this second Test, and what I saw in that final quarter was promising because that is the way to make the Lions feel a bit uncomfortable and not find their rhythm,” he said. “Then it comes down to who executes in the big moments and I hope that is the Wallabies. I will be there in my gold Wallaby jersey.”
The upcoming match in Melbourne represents a critical juncture for Australian rugby union, offering the Wallabies a chance to put everything on the line. With the stakes high and the series on the brink, the Wallabies have the opportunity to rewrite their narrative and keep the series alive.
